Method, apparatus, and system for testing an electroretinogram measurement device

Abstract

Provided herein is a method, apparatus, and system for an electronic surrogate that comprehensively tests light output and signal processing of an electroretinogram measurement device. Methods include receiving, at a sensor of a circuit, light input from an electroretinogram (ERG) measurement device; generating, from the circuit, an output voltage; determining, from the output voltage, if the output voltage is within a predetermined range; and generating, at a user interface, an indication of whether the output voltage is within the predetermined range. The sensor of an example embodiment includes an inductive sensor representing a retina of a biological test subject. The sensor of an example embodiment is positioned proximate a position of an eye within a housing shaped like the biological test subject. The housing of an example embodiment is shaped like a human head.

Description

METHOD, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEM FOR TESTING AN ELECTRORETINOGRAMMEASUREMENT DEVICECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 511,002, filed on June 29, 2023, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0002] An example embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method, apparatus, and system for testing of an electroretinogram measurement device, and more particularly, to an electronic surrogate that comprehensively tests light output and signal processing of an electroretinogram measurement device.BACKGROUND

[0003] The electroretinogram (ERG) test is a diagnostic test that measures the function of the retina through measurement of the electrical response of the light-sensitive portion of an eye. The ERG test can be used to identify a variety of inherited and acquired retinal diseases. The ERG test is performed using a device that stimulates the retina through light patterns, intensities, and frequencies. A response of the retina is measured using a corneal electrode or an electrode strip adhered below the eye. The electrical nerve impulses produced from the retina responsive to the light from the ERG test device are recorded and plotted to obtain a retinogram. The retinogram is read and interpreted by an ophthalmologist to identify, monitor, and manage ocular conditions. Testing of ERG devices is performed to ensure functionality and generally employs the use of mammalian subjects.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, apparatus, and system for an electronic surrogate that comprehensively tests light output and signal processing of an electroretinogram measurement device. Embodiments provided herein include an apparatus including processing circuitry and at least one memory including computer program code, the atleast one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processing circuitry, cause the apparatus to at least: receive, at a sensor of a circuit, light input from an electroretinogram (ERG) measurement device; generate, from the circuit, an output voltage; determine, from the output voltage, if the output voltage is within a predetermined range; and generate, at a user interface, an indication of whether the output voltage is within the predetermined range. The sensor of an example embodiment includes an inductive sensor representing a retina of a biological test subject. The sensor of an example embodiment is positioned proximate a position of an eye within a housing shaped like the biological test subject.

[0005] The housing of an example embodiment is in the shape of a human head. The user interface of an example embodiment includes a light emitting diode (LED) configured to illuminate in response to the output voltage being within the predetermined range. According to some embodiments, the user interface provides an indication of a trend of the output voltage from the ERG measurement device. The user interface of certain embodiments provides an indication of an imminent need for service of the ERG measurement device based on the trend of the output voltage. The output voltage of an example embodiment includes a light-induced change in voltage of a magnitude that would be experienced by a human eye.

[0006] Embodiments provided herein include a method including: receiving, at a sensor of a circuit, light input from an electroretinogram (ERG) measurement device; generating, from the circuit, an output voltage; determining, from the output voltage, if the output voltage is within a predetermined range; and generating, at a user interface, an indication of whether the output voltage is within the predetermined range. The sensor of an example embodiment includes an inductive sensor representing a retina of a biological test subject. The sensor of an example embodiment is positioned proximate a position of an eye within a housing shaped like the biological test subject. The housing of an example embodiment is shaped like a human head. The user interface of an example embodiment includes a light emitting diode (LED) configured to illuminate in response to the output voltage being within the predetermined range. The user interface of an example embodiment provides an indication of a trend of the output voltage from the ERG measurement device over time. The user interface of an example embodiment provides an indication of an imminent need for service of the ERG measurement device based on the trend of the output voltage. The output voltage of an example embodiment includes a light-induced change in voltage of a magnitude that would be experienced by a human eye.

[0007] Embodiments provided herein include a system including: a housing, wherein the housing is in a shape of a human head; a sensor, wherein the sensor comprises a light-sensitive sensor positioned in a location corresponding to an eye of the housing; a circuit in electrical communication with the sensor, wherein the circuit processes output from the sensor; and a user interface configured to provide an indication if output from the sensor is within a predefined range of acceptable output. The sensor of an example embodiment includes an inductive sensor representing a retina of a biological test subject. The user interface of an example embodiment provides an indication of a trend of performance of an electroretinogram measurement device over time. According to some embodiments, the output from the sensor includes a light-induced change in voltage of a magnitude replicating that of a human eye.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Having thus described certain example embodiments in general terms, reference will hereinafter be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0009] Figure 1 illustrates a head-shaped housing including a sensor for an electronic surrogate device in the location of an eye according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0010] Figure 2 is a circuit diagram for an electronic surrogate device according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0011] Figure 3 is a block diagram of an apparatus for an electronic surrogate device according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0012] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a process for testing an electroretinogram measurement device according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Some example embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, various embodiments of the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forthherein; rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0014] Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a method, apparatus, and system for testing of an electroretinogram measurement device, and more particularly, to an electronic surrogate that comprehensively tests light output and signal processing of an electroretinogram measurement device. Embodiments enable researchers and / or clinicians to conveniently and rapidly test their ERG measurement device for error or inconsistency without requiring an extensive calibration operation. Embodiments provide an electronic surrogate of a biological eye that is not subject to biological variation in response to the ERG test as would be expected in different individuals.

[0015] Current testing of ERG measurement devices often relies on wild type mammalian subjects (of diverse response), expensive light meters, or frequent and often expensive on-site or off-site calibrations to increase confidence in ERG measurements. Embodiments provided herein avoid these issues through use of an electronic surrogate that is repeatable, accurate, and efficient. Unlike a conventional photometer that can measure the output of a light source such as the ERG measurement device light source, embodiments described herein comprehensively test both the light output of the ERG device as well as the amplification and other signal processing of the subject’s visual response. This is because the ERG testing surrogate provided herein mimics an actual mammalian visual response.

[0016] Embodiments of the device for testing an ERG measurement device described herein is a practical and inexpensive solution to an acute problem researchers and medical technicians face with regard to ERG testing. ERG measurement devices are not immune to degradation and the accuracy of ERG measurement devices can change over time. While periodic calibration can help mitigate ERG measurement device degradation, an arbitrarily set calibration schedule is not necessarily going to prevent a degraded ERG measurement device from being used until the next calibration operation. Often, costly ERG measurement devices are in communal use in a practice such that the actual duty cycle of the ERG measurement device is difficult to track. Further, calibration is an expensive, time-consuming process that requires a trained technician to perform.

[0017] The electronic surrogate device provided herein as a device for testing ERG measurement devices serves as a failsafe or litmus test for accurate ERG measurements. As it is an electronic surrogate, there is no genetic variation nor pathology, and there is no need to darkadapt the electronic surrogate device as would be necessary in a living test subject. The electronic surrogate device can fit conveniently into a technician’s workflow just as a test subject would. Further, the electronic surrogate device of an example embodiment can be housed in a face-shaped housing for a clinic use-case, or a mammalian (e.g., mouse) housing in an animal facility. The electronic surrogate device described herein provides immediate feedback to alert the technician as to whether or not something is amiss with the ERG measurement device. The electronic surrogate generates the same measurable light-induced change in voltage as occurs across a properly functioning retina, though with standard and predictable amplitude.

[0018] The electronic surrogate device described herein does not calibrate the ERG measurement device, but instead provides feedback as to whether the measurement device is performing appropriately. If the ERG measurement device experiences a problem with the stimulators / electrodes, such as degradation, or if the ERG measurement device has fallen out of calibration limits, the electronic surrogate can alert the technician to the issue signifying that the ERG measurement device requires maintenance. The technician operating the ERG measurement device is not concerned with whether the light stimulus or signal handling of the response by the ERG measurement device’s internal amplifier is anomalous. However, the technician does need to know whether or not the ERG measurement device is working properly. Light meters which are often costly and can measure light output of an ERG measurement device can only identify whether the light stimulus is within calibration, but also require additional setup, technical expertise, and analysis. The electronic surrogate device provided herein employs a user interface that alerts the technician as to whether the ERG measurement device is working properly or not.

[0019] To make the operation of the electronic surrogate device as intuitive and user-friendly as possible, the device can be housed in a housing that mimics the conventional application of the ERG measurement device. In the case of a clinic that uses the ERG measurement devices on human patients, the electronic surrogate device could be housed within a head-shaped housing 110, such as the one shown in Figure 1. As illustrated, the head-shaped housing 110 includes a sensor 120 of an electronic surrogate device, where circuitry of the electronic surrogate device can be housed within the head-shaped housing 110. The electronic surrogate device of an example embodiment can include a second sensor (not shown) as a second eye of the head-shaped housing 110. In a facility that works with animals, the housing could be in a form familiar to the facility, such as a mouse.

[0020] The head-shaped housing 110 provides an interface that is no different than standard operation for the technician in the lab or clinic conducting the ERG measurement. There is no difference in a setup of the subject (e.g., patient or ocularly diseased mouse strain) or the surrogate. For example, for a human patient, the electronic surrogate device is placed before the ERG measurement device in the same manner with all of the same geometric considerations (e.g., distances of the eyes to the ERG measurement device or the “stimulators” in the case of mice). The head-shaped housing 110 may be made from 3D printing, a molding process, or computer numeric controlled (CNC) machining. Because the housing of example embodiments provided herein is shaped to replicate an actual test subject with which a practice is familiar with, the electronic surrogate device can be readily used in conjunction with any make or model of ERG instrument while providing the user a familiar interface that requires little training on how to use.

[0021] In order to test the ERG measurement device, the ERG measurement device 130 shown in Figure 1 is used on the electronic surrogate device in the same manner the ERG measurement device would be used on a living patient. The ERG measurement device 130 is held in front of the housing 110 facing the sensor 120 of the electronic surrogate device. The ERG measurement device begins a test directing light 135 toward the sensor 120. The sensor 120 generates a signal processed by the electronic surrogate device of a light-induced change in voltage that is the same as would be expected from a properly functioning retina. The electronic surrogate device with sensor 120 generates a signal responsive to the light of the ERG measurement device of the same amplitude and waveform as would be expected from the properly functioning retina.

[0022] The ERG measurement devices function based on Faraday’s laws of induction. A voltage across a retina is, for the ERG measurement device, physically indistinguishable from a voltage change generated by a photodiode (e.g., sensor 120) and a transimpedance amplifier. Thus, the electronic circuit of the electronic surrogate device acts as a experimental control.

[0023] Embodiments of the electronic surrogate device provide an added benefit of not requiring dark adaptation. When a clinician or researcher selects a biological control (a control subject that will give a predictable response to a given light stimulus from an ERG device), the clinician must consider a variety of variables. A clinician having trouble reconciling ERG measurement results for a patient with their visual acuity (of a different test) may opt to select a colleague or even themselves to serve as a control subject, whereas researchers often select a strain of wild-type mouse to serve as this control in an animal setting. In either case, the subjects requiredark adaptation where the subject’s eyes are maintained in a dark environment for a predetermined period of time. For mice, this may be as long as overnight. A biological transient voltage source (a retina loaded with photoreceptors that hyperpolarize in response to light) requires timeconsuming biological reactions to take place to restore the retina to the “dark adapted” state. This is the phenomenon people experience when “adapting” to a darkened theater, for example. ERG measurement tests typically begin by testing rod photoreceptors - the cells responsible for night vision or seeing in dark environments. During this adaptation time, one’s scotopic / rod mediated vision is restored as the rods recover from the “bleached” state of a daylight environment where cone photoreceptors are the predominant cell-type mediating vision. A photodiode, such as that used in the electronic surrogate device described herein, has no such dark adaptation requirement. Beyond dark adaptation, it is further noted that any biological test control subject, even an inbred strain such as C57 / BL6 mice, will have genetic variation in the amplitude of their response to light. This variation is not present in the electronic surrogate device of example embodiments described herein. Further, each biological control subject must be anesthetized in the case of animal research. None of these issues are applicable to the electronic control subject of an electronic surrogate device.

[0024] The electronic surrogate device described herein is a specialized electronic surrogate control subject, used specifically in the context of ERG measurement devices, which generate a small transient voltage change in response to light just as a biological subject would. This control will indicate an anomalous ERG measurement caused by any aspect of the ERG measurement device. A photometer is a device for measuring a level of light output from a wide variety of light sources in a variety of contexts. In the case of measuring light output of an ERG light source, a photometer would measure the light output of the LED or lamp providing the stimulus; however, it will only indicate if there is a problem with the light stimulus from the ERG measurement device. A photometer is incapable of measuring the amplification and handling of the subject’s response or a condition of electrodes or stimulators (in the case of mouse testing) that the electronic surrogate device provides.

[0025] For the retina, there is a reasonable / normal range of amplitudes for a signal response for a given light stimulus, albeit subject to genetic variation and noise. It is essential to be able to detect statistically significant trends, either in terms of degeneration or improvement of vision. Typically, an ERG measurement device will measure the response of the subject to three levels oflight stimulus. Like the biological subject, a narrow range of acceptable responses can be assigned to the surrogate for these three levels of light stimulus. The narrowness of this range will depend upon the quality of the noise reducing features of the circuit, such as notch filters, shielding, etc. An electronic surrogate device as described herein can be used to ensure the ERG measurement device is functioning properly to identify the statistically significant trends of a subject’s vision.

[0026] The electronic surrogate device described herein is used to test the functionality of an ERG measurement device. The ERG measurement device is used to perform a test on the housing (e.g., head-shaped housing 110) and sensor (e.g., sensor 120) of the electronic surrogate device. The electronic surrogate device generates a response, and that response is used to determine if the ERG measurement device is functioning properly. The electronic surrogate device can provide a yes / no binary indication of whether the ERG measurement device is working as intended.

[0027] When technicians are conducting ERG tests, use of the ERG measurement device on the electronic surrogate device described herein should be the first tests of the session used as the control subject. A 50 mV (milli-volt) amplitude response signal may be expected as measured by the ERG measurement device for a three decibel light stimulus. These signals are typically observable by the technician in real time, as well as collated digitally for later analysis, on a dimly lit and appropriately filtered computer screen during the test. A signal of 15 mV or 100 mV amplitude response signal would indicate that something is wrong, either with the experimental setup (e.g., geometry or electrode placement) or the ERG measurement device. The technician is then immediately made aware that there is a problem with the testing device by virtue of an alert from the electronic surrogate device. This alert may be in the form of a measured response indication relative to an expected response indication. The alert may be a simple go / no-go indication that can be as simple as a light, such as an LED, that is visible on the housing.

[0028] According to some embodiments, the electronic surrogate device is in communication, such as by a communications interface, with a user interface, such as a display. The display may be used to present results of the electronic surrogate device output from a test with an ERG measurement device. This can provide an indication of a degree of error or variation identified by the electronic surrogate device responsive to the test. A response from the electronic surrogate device outside of the expected range would provide an alert that there is a problem with the ERG measurement device and / or the configuration, such that the ERG measurement device and / or the configuration must be corrected before continuing with an ERG test on a patient.

[0029] The electronic surrogate device described herein is not a replacement for calibration of ERG measurement devices. Calibration of ERG measurement devices is a specialized process that is cumbersome and performed by specially trained technicians. Calibration services are typically time consuming, costly, and potentially disruptive of office or lab productivity as the ERG measurement device is out of service while being calibrated. Further, calibration or repair that excludes consideration of light stimulus, handling of the response, and placement of the electrodes is, for the clinician or researcher, an incomplete answer to the fundamental practical question of whether or not the ERG measurement device is functioning properly. The electronic surrogate device described herein provides a mechanism to efficiently and immediately notify the clinician or researcher that the ERG measurement device is functioning properly or that it requires repair or calibration. The electronic surrogate device described herein is practical and efficient, and improves the reliability and efficiency of workflow in a clinician’s office or laboratory.

[0030] Figure 2 illustrates an example embodiment of a circuit for a sensor representing an eye of an electronic surrogate device provided herein. The circuit shown is for one sensor of the electronic surrogate device representing one eye. A second circuit can be included, such as in an embodiment with a housing including two surrogate “eyes” in a housing. The circuit 200 includes an inductive eye loop 210 which emits a signal (e.g., a change in voltage) after the photodiode receives the light from the ERG measurement device. The photodiode generates a small current in response to light from the ERG measurement device. The transimpedance amplifier converts this current to a voltage, and the inductive eye loop presents / returns an induced voltage to the ERG device. The circuit further includes operational amplifier 220 which is a high gain amplifier with inverting input in(-) and non-inverting input in(+). The output of the circuit is a voltage representing retinal response to the light from the ERG measurement device. The output provides an indication as to whether the ERG measurement device is functioning properly. The circuit of the electronic surrogate device is able to provide a consistent and reliable output that does not include variation as would be experienced from biological test subjects. As such, the circuit is a reliable indicator of functionality of the ERG measurement device tested using the electronic surrogate device. The circuit of Figure 2 is a component of the electronic surrogate device, where the device is ultimately used to provide an indication to a user as to whether an ERG measurement device tested on the electronic surrogate device is working and suitable for use on a patient. Theoutput of the ERG device connected to or tested on the surrogate subject is read to determine if the voltage was proportional to and consistent with a given series of prescribed light stimuli.

[0031] The ERG measurement device generally performs two operations that are to be verified. First, the ERG measurement device presents a light stimulus that should be verified as appropriate. Second, the ERG device performs electrical handling and amplification of the response of the test subject that should be verified. The electronic surrogate device described herein can identify when at least one of the two operations are not within properly calibrated operating parameters. The measured output of the ERG device being tested is sufficient to determine what, if any, drift has occurred since calibration was last performed. The electronic surrogate device itself handles and evaluates the response of its own transimpedance amplifier but not that of the ERG device to determine if the light stimulus portion of the ERG device is out of specification. The technician or user can look at the actual measured voltage output of the ERG measurement device to determine, for example, that in spite of an appropriate level of light stimulus indicated by a user interface element of an electronic surrogate device (e.g., an LED), that the ERG measurement devices handling of the signal from the electronic surrogate device is inappropriate.

[0032] Embodiments of the electronic surrogate device described above can be controlled by an apparatus, such as the apparatus of the schematic diagram of Figure 3 of an example of an apparatus 300 configured to perform procedures as described herein. The apparatus 300 may include or otherwise be in communication with a processor 310, a memory 320, a communication module 330, a user interface 340, and sensor(s) 350 which can include the circuit shown in Figure 2, for example. As such, in some embodiments, although devices or elements are shown as being in communication with each other, hereinafter such devices or elements should be considered to be capable of being embodied within the same device or element and thus, devices or elements shown in communication should be understood to alternatively be portions of the same device or element.

[0033] In some embodiments, the processor 310 (and / or co-processors or any other processing circuitry assisting or otherwise associated with the processor) may be in communication with the memory 320 via a bus for passing information among components of the apparatus. The memory 320 may include, for example, one or more volatile and / or non-volatile memories. In other words, for example, the memory 320 may be an electronic storage device (e.g., a computer readablestorage medium) comprising gates configured to store data (e g., bits) that may be retrievable by a machine (e.g., a computing device like the processor). The memory 320 may be configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the apparatus 300 to carry out various functions in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the memory 320 could be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processor 310. Additionally or alternatively, the memory could be configured to store instructions for execution by the processor.

[0034] The processor 310 may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the processor 310 may be embodied as one or more of various hardware processing means such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing element with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other processing circuitry including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a specialpurpose computer chip, or the like. As such, in some embodiments, the processor may include one or more processing cores configured to perform independently. A multi-core processor may enable multiprocessing within a single physical package. Additionally or alternatively, the processor 310 may include one or more processors configured in tandem via the bus to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining and / or multithreading.

[0035] In an example embodiment, the processor 310 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 320 or otherwise accessible to the processor 310. Alternatively or additionally, the processor 310 may be configured to execute hard coded functionality. As such, whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof, the processor 310 may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry) capable of performing operations according to an embodiment of the present invention while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processor 310 is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processor 310 may be specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processor 310 is embodied as an executor of software instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor 310 to perform the algorithms and / or operations described herein when the instructions are executed. However, in some cases, the processor 310 may be a processor of a specific device configured to employ an embodiment of the present invention by further configuration of the processor 310 by instructionsfor performing the algorithms and / or operations described herein. The processor 310 may include, among other things, a clock, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and logic gates configured to support operation of the processor 310. In one embodiment, the processor 310 may also include user interface circuitry configured to control at least some functions of one or more elements of the user interface 340.

[0036] The communication module 330 may include various components, such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and / or transmit data for communicating data between the apparatus 300 and various other entities, such as a teleradiology system, a database, a medical records system, or the like. In this regard, the communication module 330 may include, for example, an antenna (or multiple antennas) and supporting hardware and / or software for enabling communications wirelessly. Additionally or alternatively, the communication module 330 may include the circuitry for interacting with the antenna(s) to cause transmission of signals via the antenna(s) or to handle receipt of signals received via the antenna(s). For example, the communications module 330 may be configured to communicate wirelessly such as via Wi-Fi (e.g., vehicular Wi-Fi standard 802. l ip), Bluetooth, mobile communications standards (e.g., 3G, 4G, or 5G) or other wireless communications techniques. In some instances, the communications module 330 may alternatively or also support wired communication, which may communicate with a separate transmitting device (not shown). As such, for example, the communications module 330 may include a communication modem and / or other hardware / software for supporting communication via cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), universal serial bus (USB) or other mechanisms. For example, the communications module 330 may be configured to communicate via wired communication with other components of a computing device.

[0037] The apparatus 300 can include sensors 350 that can be the sensors used to receive the light output from the ERG measurement device as input in order to generate a voltage response. This voltage response can be processed by the processor 310 to determine if the voltage is commensurate with a voltage representing a properly functioning ERG measurement device. An acceptable voltage range can be stored, for example, in memory 320. Optionally, the communications module 330 can transmit the results to an external device via wired or wireless communication. The user interface 340 can provide an indication to a user of whether the ERG measurement device is functioning properly. Further, the user interface 340 can be used to identifyan anomaly that may or may not be within a range of proper functionality. The memory 320 can store previously recorded voltage readings from the sensors 350 to identify trends for a particular ERG measurement device which may be used to indicate deterioration of the performance of the ERG measurement device. A particular ERG measurement device may be identified, such as by a serial number or other identifier, and tested using the electronic surrogate device described herein. The testing of the particular ERG measurement device can be tracked over time to identify a trend that may suggest that the ERG measurement device is not yet out of functioning range, but is trending toward being outside of a working limit. The user interface 340 can provide an indication of these trends to indicate a need for maintenance on an ERG measurement device before the device becomes unsuitable for use. The device of example embodiments provided herein also incorporates circuitry that monitors the battery voltage for acceptable limits.

[0038] The light source of an ERG measurement device to stimulate the retina of a user is typically an LED. These LEDs have a burn-in time, over which the performance of the LED changes and eventually stabilizes. During the burn-in time, the light emitted from the LED may be different from the light emitted once the LED is stabilized. As such, the ERG measurement device may produce different readings over time as burn-in occurs. Embodiments of the electronic surrogate device described herein can identify that trend and even confirm when burn-in is complete and the ERG measurement device output stabilizes.

[0039] The electronic surrogate device described herein can be implemented with a software program, such as an application (e g., a mobile device app) that interfaces with the electronic surrogate device and the ERG measurement device. Such an app can be used to track trends of an ERG measurement device, identify potential issues with an ERG measurement device, and track user variation. Further, the application could be configured to interface with multiple ERG measurement devices that are each uniquely identified to monitor the status of a plurality of ERG measurement devices within a facility. The application can provide a user interface (e.g., on a mobile device such as cell phone, tablet computer, etc.) that provides an indication of the electronic surrogate function, the ERG measurement expected, a go / no-go indication of whether an ERG measurement device is operating properly, or the like.

[0040] Figure 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment of the disclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart, may be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, processor,circuitry, and / or other devices associated with execution of software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures described above may be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, the computer program instructions which embody the procedures described above may be stored by the memory 320 of an apparatus employing an embodiment of the present invention and executed by the processor 310 of the apparatus. As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (e.g., hardware) to produce a machine, such that the resulting computer or other programmable apparatus implements the functions specified in the flowchart blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that may direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture the execution of which implements the function specified in the flowchart blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart blocks.

[0041] Accordingly, blocks of the flowcharts support combinations of means for performing the specified functions and combinations of operations for performing the specified functions for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0042] According to the flow chart of Figure 4, light input is received at 410 from an electroretinogram (ERG) measurement device at a sensor of a circuit. An output voltage is generated at 420. At 430, it is determined if the output voltage is within a predetermined range. This may be performed, for example, by a processor of the circuit. A user interface is employed at 440 to generate an indication of whether the output voltage is within the predetermined range. This provides an indication if the ERG measurement device is suitable for use.

[0043] In an example embodiment, an apparatus for performing the method of Figure 4 above may comprise a processor (e.g., the processor 310) configured to perform some or each of theoperations (410-440) described above. The processor may, for example, be configured to perform the operations (410-440) by performing hardware implemented logical functions, executing stored instructions, or executing algorithms for performing each of the operations. Alternatively, the apparatus may comprise means for performing each of the operations described above. In this regard, according to an example embodiment, examples of means for performing operations 410- 440 may comprise, for example, the processor 310 and / or a device or circuit for executing instructions or executing an algorithm for processing information as described above.

[0044] In some embodiments, certain ones of the operations above may be modified or further amplified. Furthermore, in some embodiments, additional optional operations may be included. Modifications, additions, or amplifications to the operations above may be performed in any order and in any combination.

[0045] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus comprising processing circuitry and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processing circuitry, cause the apparatus to at least: receive, at a sensor of a circuit, light input from an electroretinogram (ERG) measurement device; generate, from the circuit, an output voltage; determine, from the output voltage, if the output voltage is within a predetermined range; and generate, at a user interface, an indication of whether the output voltage is within the predetermined range.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an inductive sensor representing a retina of a biological test subject.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the sensor is positioned proximate a position of an eye within a housing shaped like the biological test subject.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the housing is shaped like a human head.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises a light emitting diode (LED) configured to illuminate in response to the output voltage being within the predetermined range.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user interface provides an indication of a trend of the output voltage from the ERG measurement device over time.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the user interface provides an indication of an imminent need for service of the ERG measurement device based on the trend of the output voltage.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the output voltage comprises a light-induced change in voltage of a magnitude that would be experienced by a human eye.

9. A method comprising: receiving, at a sensor of a circuit, light input from an electroretinogram (ERG) measurement device; generating, from the circuit, an output voltage; determining, from the output voltage, if the output voltage is within a predetermined range; and generating, at a user interface, an indication of whether the output voltage is within the predetermined range.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the sensor comprises an inductive sensor representing a retina of a biological test subject.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the sensor is positioned proximate a position of an eye within a housing shaped like the biological test subject.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the housing is shaped like a human head.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the user interface comprises a light emitting diode (LED) configured to illuminate in response to the output voltage being within the predetermined range.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the user interface provides an indication of a trend of the output voltage from the ERG measurement device over time.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the user interface provides an indication of an imminent need for service of the ERG measurement device based on the trend of the output voltage.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the output voltage comprises a light-induced change in voltage of a magnitude that would be experienced by a human eye.

17. A system comprising: a housing, wherein the housing is in a shape of a human head; a sensor, wherein the sensor comprises a light-sensitive sensor positioned in a location corresponding to an eye of the housing; a circuit in electrical communication with the sensor, wherein the circuit processes output from the sensor; and a user interface configured to provide an indication if output from the sensor is within a predefined range of acceptable output.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the sensor comprises an inductive sensor representing a retina of a biological test subject.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the user interface provides an indication of a trend of performance of an electroretinogram measurement device over time.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the output from the sensor comprises a light-induced change in voltage of a magnitude replicating that of a human eye.

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